Coral Cup 2022 Entries: Thedevilscoachman and Good Risk at All included
The Coral Cup is always an absolute minefield for punters with horses being minded throughout the season and careful planning from connections to bring their charge to Cheltenham cherry ripe for the day. The entries have been released now and the winner of the Boyne Hurdle Thedevilscoachman is one of the headline contenders along with Good Risk At All for the race on March 16...
After his last gasp success in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, Noel Meade floated the possibility of a Coral Cup bid for Thedevilscoachman and bookmakers were quick to slot him in as favourite. Currently an 8/1 chance with most NRMB firms, the usual chaotic nature of the race looks to be right up JP McManus's Grade Two winner's street and a strongly run contest over two miles five furlongs should be perfect for him. Meade claimed the horse will get three miles in time and with his stamina assured and his finishing speed evident at Navan he undoubtedly deserves his place at the head of the market.
Another runner priced in and around 8/1, Good Risk At All for Sam Thomas absolutely cruised to victory at Ascot over the weekend and although he has been clobbered with a thirteen pound rise in the ratings, the manner of his victory indicated there was far more to come from this exciting stable star. He has some form at Cheltenham, albeit only in his bumper days, but looks to have all the tools in his arsenal to go close in a race such as this when there will certainly be plenty of runners with plenty of pounds in hand.
Last season's Coral Cup winner Heaven Help Us is entered once more and could potentially defend her crown, however connections have intimated a tilt at the Mares' Hurdle is their preferred target. She was a pillar to post winner of the 2021 renewal and one who could attempt to make all and emulate Heaven Help Us is Interne De Sivola for Nick and Chester Williams. Predominantly a frontrunner throughout his fledgling racing career so far he could be sent to the front early by his pilot and attempt to make all with his stamina not in doubt.
Good Time Jonny would be a winner treading the well trodden path of doubling up victory at the Dublin Racing Festival with Cheltenham success were he to come home in front and connections have confirmed this race is the target. Were he to repeat his Leapordstown performance he should be there or thereabouts come the finishing line, Whiskey Sour has been around the block a fair few times for Willie Mullins but was last seen finishing just three lengths behind Darasso at Naas over a trip far shorter than ideal. Darasso has franked that form multiple times since and although Whiskey Sour would undoubtedly be tasked with a big weight to carry were he to line up here he would be dangerous to dismiss on a going day.
Further down the odds list, 2018 Triumph Hurdle second Mr Adjudicator could line up here and it would be a marked drop in class for this runner as he has been outshone in Grade Ones most of the season so far. Another formerly high class Willie Mullins entrant who could make appeal at huge odds is Ngolo, although it would take some leap of faith to back him after his underwhelming displays so far this campaign for his new yard.
